Thomas Sherwood

Principal Percussionist

Principal Percussion Thomas Sherwood has been with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra since 1999, and holds the endowed Julie and Arthur Montgomery Chair.

An active educator, Mr. Sherwood presented clinics at the 2001 and 2003 Percussive Arts Society International Conventions. He has been a percussion coach for the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra since 2000, and is also the percussion instructor for the ASO's Talent Development Program. He marked his solo debut with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in 2005 with Tan Dun's Concerto for Water Percussion.

Prior to joining the ASO, Mr. Sherwood was a member of the prestigious New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas, and with them performed on several international tours and made numerous recordings. He also performed frequently with the Naples Philharmonic in Naples, FL. His summer festival performances include the National Orchestral Institute, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, and Aspen Music Festival, where he held the Charlie Owen Memorial Scholarship.

A native of Fairfax, VA, he began his musical career at a young age after he discovered his father's drum set in the garage. He graduated with a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. As a student of Thomas Siwe, Mr. Sherwood was the youngest recipient of the Edgard Varèse Memorial Scholarship. He received a master's degree from Temple University, where he studied with Alan Abel, former Associate Principal Percussionist of the Philadelphia Orchestra.